The ArtsWave creates and supports art programs and opportunities in the city year-round, but three Saturdays each year, the organization kicks its mission into high gear with the Macy’s Arts Sampler. The free event brings visual art, theater, dance, music, crafts and more to venues across Greater Cincinnati. This Saturday’s sampler includes shows and backstage tours at Playhouse in the Park, Madcap Puppets at Cincinnati Art Museum and tons of other fun, creative opportunities for the whole family from Kings High School to Behringer-Crawford Museum in Covington, all day long. Find a full schedule of events here. Cincy Blues Society celebrates 23 years this weekend with Winter Blues Fest. The fest takes place at The Phoenix, CityBeat’s across-the-street neighbors, Friday and Saturday with more than 25 local acts. Sonny Moorman and the Stacy Mitchhart Band headline; tickets are $20 per night; $35 for the weekend. Not able to make it to the Big Easy this Fat Tuesday? Celebrate Mardi Gras in MainStrasse Friday and Saturday. Get your fill of beads with parades each night, plus live music and Cajun grub in the entertainment tent open 8 p.m.-1 a.m. Stop by your favorite MainStrasse bar, restaurant or business to keep the party going. Tickets are $10 per night or $15 for the weekend; find more info here. With Valentine’s Day next week, lots of folks are buying up chocolates, flowers, special undies and other goodies for their significant others. You know who could really use some love? The hundreds of adoptable animals that have been abused, neglected or left behind by owners. This weekend, My Furry Valentine brings these lovable critters from dozens of rescues together in West Chester for Greater Cincinnati’s largest animal adoption event. Skip pet stores and breeders and find a pet that needs a home 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday at flexi USA, Inc. (8494 Firebird Dr., West Chester). If you can’t make it out to the ‘burbs, check out one of more than 20 participating locations. Each adopted cat, dog, rabbit or other pet will go home with a gift bag of treats, toys, coupons and more supplies. The Mayerson JCC’s Jewish and Israeli Film Festival kicks off Saturday with a screening of Hava Nagila, a comedic documentary that tells the story of this Jewish celebration staple song. This opening night celebration takes place 8-10 p.m. Saturday at the Cincinnati Museum Center and includes dessert, a photo booth and private admission to the museum’s Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit. The fest continues through Feb. 28 with films shown at the Museum Center, Esquire Theatre, Kenwood Theatre, Mariemont Theatre and the Mayerson JCC. Go here for ticket information and a full schedule. Whether the word “craft” conjures up thoughts of glitter and glue or bottles and brew, Mt. Caramel Brewing Company’s Art. Craft. Beer. show has something for everyone. The brewery’s gallery will be full of works from area artists with plenty of fresh craft beer to go around, Saturday and Sunday. The event is just one of many happenings coinciding with Cincinnati Beer Week (which continues through Thursday). Get a full schedule and find participating bars and venues here.

Art on the Streets Cincinnati is a new local initiative to encourage performance and art in public spaces across the city. The group’s initial efforts will unleash dancers, singers, painters, musicians and other artists to parks and sidewalks during the World Choir Games (July 4-14) to welcome visitors (up to 90,000 of ‘em) and get locals in the arty spirit. Art on the Streets hopes to continue this public creative effort long after the Games, as well. Discover more about the group (and public performance rules) tonight at Know Theater. An informational and planning meeting is set to begin at 7:30 p.m., so grab a drink at Know’s bar and learn how you can participate in making Cincinnati and even more lively arts scene. Email ArtsCincy@gmail.com to RSVP. Mayerson JCC’s Summer Cinema Series continues tonight with two episodes from the Israeli comedy television series Arab Labor (Avoda Aravit). Referred to as the Palestinian Seinfeld, the series follows Arab-Israeli journalist Amjad, a hapless but good-hearted man who neurotically tries to conform with both Arab and Jewish expectations and his one-of-a-kind family. Screenings are from 1-3 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. Tickets are $10 ($8 for JCC members). Joseph M. Schuster will discuss and sign his debut novel, The Might Have Been at 7 p.m. at Joseph-Beth Cincinnati. From St. Louis, Mo. Schuster presents a novel about the consequences of chasing an unattainable dream, regret and redemption. And don’t forget free weekly events: Party in the Park features music from 3 Day Rule 5-10 p.m. and happy hour specials ‘til 6:30; Clifton Cultural Arts Center presents Wednesdays on the Green with Tracy Walker, kids activities, on-site food vendors and more beginning at 7 p.m.; Reggae Wednesday brings jammin’ to Fountain Square, 7-10 p.m. Tonight’s band is Lucky 7. Don't let the impending heat hold you back from a fun weeknight!